10 of the Most Powerful V6 Engines

2016 Cadillac ATS-V ・ Photo by General Motors

In the quest to meet ever increasing fuel economy standards, modern engines are constantly being downsized, even in vehicles such as pickups and high performance cars that traditionally had large displacement engines. To help make up (and sometimes more than make up) for the reduced displacement these engines use technology such as turbocharging and direct injection to boost power levels. Every engine on our list of 10 most powerful engines makes at least 400 HP and 400 lb-ft of torque, and all make at least 120 HP per liter, numbers that would have been reserved for supercars with twice as many cylinders only a decade or two ago. Let’s take a look at some of today’s most impressive engines.

10) Lincoln MKZ AWD/Continental

3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V6 400 HP/400 lb-ft 133.3 HP/liter

The 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V6 that can be had in all-wheel drive versions of the fullsize Lincoln Continental and the midsize Lincoln MKZ earns the last spot on our list of the 10 most powerful V6 engines thanks to an even 400 horsepower. Unlike most motors in the Lincoln range, this one is not (yet at least) shared with other models in the Ford lineup. In the MKZ, the V6 is good for a run from 0 to 60 miles per hour in less than five seconds and a top speed of 150 mph, while in the Continental it should be good for a sprint to 60 in just under six seconds and a top speed electronically limited to 130 mph.

Photo by Lincoln

9) Cadillac CT6

3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V6 404 HP/400 lb-ft 134.7 HP/liter

The fullsize Cadillac CT6 is available with a 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V6 that sends 404 horsepower to all four wheels. The run from 0 to 60 miles per hour takes right around five seconds and top speed is limited to 155 mph. Handling is sharper than you’d expect from such a large Caddy, possibly because of the use of aluminum-intensive construction (especially at the ends of the car, which helps keep weight centered between the axles) and a fairly stiff suspension design; unfortunately the tradeoff for the car’s grip in the corners is a slightly harsh ride. The interior is good looking and made from nice quality materials, though the steering wheel is a bit over-the-top.

Photo by Cadillac

8) Maserati Levante S

3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V6 424 HP/428 lb-ft 141.3 HP/liter

The Maserati Levante S sport utility vehicle uses a Ferrari-built 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V6 that makes 424 horsepower and a healthy 428 lb-ft of stump-pulling torque, placing it in eighth place on our list of the 10 most powerful V6 engines. That amount of power means that the SUV can accelerate to 60 miles per hour in five seconds flat and tops out at 164 mph. The Levante probably won’t be much use off road (not that many people will try), but it does handle the corners with ease and looks great. A similar V6 with less power is available in the regular Levante as well as in the more athletic Ghibli and Quattroporte sedans.

Photo by Fiat Chrysler Automobiles

7) Porsche Panamera 4S

2.9-liter twin-turbocharged turbo V6 440 HP/405 lb-ft 151.7 HP/liter

The fullsize Porsche Panamera 4S is powered by a 2.9-liter twin-turbocharged V6 engine that makes 440 horsepower and sends power to all four wheels, which is enough help to get the car to 60 miles per hour in 4.6 seconds (or 4.3 with the Sport Chrono package) and on to a top speed of 177 mph. At an impressive 151 HP per liter, this Porsche V6 has the third highest specific output of all the cars on our list of the 10 most powerful engines, and places in the seventh spot overall. There’s far more to the Panamera than its engine, however; it also offers a classy interior, a good ride, and exceptional handling.

Photo by Porsche

6) Porsche Macan Turbo with Performance Package/Cayenne GTS

3.6-liter twin-turbocharged V6 440 HP/442 lb-ft 122.2 HP/liter

Porsche offers a 440-horsepower 3.6-liter twin-turbocharged V6 in both the Cayenne GTS and the Macan Turbo (with the Performance Package) SUVs. While it has the lowest specific output on our list of the 10 most powerful V6 engines, it still places in the number six slot thanks to its larger displacement. The V6 can get the Macan to 60 miles per hour in 4.2 seconds and on to a top speed of 169 mph and the larger Cayenne to 60 in 4.9 seconds (4.8 with the Sport Chrono package) and up to a top speed of 163 mph. A similar engine with slightly less power is available in the normal Macan Turbo and the Cayenne S.

Photo by Porsche

5) Ford F-150 Raptor

3.5-liter twin-turbocharged V6 450 HP/510 lb-ft 128.6 HP/liter

The high-output version of Ford’s 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 found in the new F-150 Raptor pickup makes an impressive 450 horsepower and (just as importantly for a truck) 510 lb-ft of torque. The run from 0 to 60 miles per hour should be completed in six seconds or less, and top speed is electronically limited to 100 mph (it is still a truck, after all). Lower power versions of this engine are available in many of Ford’s other vehicles, including the regular F-150, Taurus, Edge, Explorer and Expedition (as well as the Lincoln Navigator). A more powerful variant of this engine should be making 600 or more horsepower in the Ford GT when it is released sometime next year.

Photo by Ford

4) Cadillac ATS-V Coupe

3.6-liter twin-turbocharged V6 464 HP/445 lb-ft 128.9 HP/liter

The compact Cadillac ATS-V is powered by a twin-turbocharged 3.6-liter V6 that pumps out 464 horsepower. Available as either a coupe or a sedan, both models can accelerate to 60 miles per hour in 3.8 seconds before going on to a top speed of 189 mph. With all that power combined with aggressive-looking body parts, Magnetic Ride Control, an electronic limited-slip rear differential, Brembo brakes and Michelin Pilot Super Sport tires, the ATS-V is ready for high-speed long-distance cruising, attacking the best back roads or even the occasional trip to the local track. A similar engine can be found in the larger Cadillac CTS V-Sport, but in that application it makes only 420 horsepower.

Photo by General Motors

3) Acura NSX

3.5-liter twin-turbocharged V6 500 HP/406 lb-ft 142.9 HP/liter

The Acura NSX sports car is powered in part by a 3.5-liter twin-turbocharged V6 that makes 500 horsepower, combined with a hybrid system that makes use of three electric motors to bump total output to 573 horsepower. With a top speed of 191 miles per hour and a 0 to 60 run that takes around three seconds, the NSX is quick. While that isn’t all down to the gasoline engine, it is a large part of the equation, and Acura’s V6 takes the third spot on our list of the 10 most powerful V6 engines. While this NSX is more complicated than its ancestor, it should be just as fun and still practical enough to use every day.

Photo by Acura

2) Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio

2.9-liter twin-turbocharged V6 505 HP / 443 lb-ft 174.1 HP / liter

Despite having the smallest engine on our list of the ten most powerful V6 engines, the compact Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio’s 2.9-liter twin-turbocharged V6 makes an astonishing 505 horsepower. That’s more than 174 horsepower per liter (the highest specific output on our list) and enough to place this special V6 in the number two slot. The results of all that power being sent to the rear wheels are a 0 to 60 mile per hour time of 3.8 seconds and a top speed of 191 mph. The car’s stylish interior and beautiful exterior styling are equally as impressive as the car’s power and handling, making the Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio a complete package.

Photo by Alfa Romeo

1) Nissan GT-R Nismo

3.8-liter twin-turbocharged V6 600 HP/481 lb-ft 157.9 HP/liter

The Nissan GT-R Nismo sports car goes up against most exotics down at least a couple of cylinders, but it’s still one of the quickest cars on the road thanks to its 600 horsepower twin-turbocharged 3.8-liter V6. The regular GT-R makes "only" 565 horsepower from its 3.8-liter motor, but is much more reasonably priced and still beats out the other entries on our list of the 10 most powerful V6 engines. Thanks to the sophisticated all-wheel drive system, either model should be able to accelerate to 60 miles per hour in less than three seconds before reaching a top speed of nearly 200 mph, and handling is the GT-R’s strong point, capable of finding grip where none should exist.

Photo by Nissan